''This article is an [[Wikitravel:CIA World Factbook 2002 import|import]] from the CIA World Factbook 2002. It's a starting point for creating a '''real''' Wikitravel country article according to our [[Wikitravel:country article template|country article template]]. Please [[Wikitravel:plunge forward|plunge forward]] and edit it.''

+

==Introduction==

+

+

'''[http://www.wikipedia.org/Hungary Hungary]''' is a country in Central Europe. The country isn't big but still offers many diverse, beautiful destinations: mountains in the north, the Great Plain in the east, lakes and rivers of all sorts, and many beautiful small villages and hidden gems of cities. Top this all with Hungary's great accessibility in the middle of Europe, a vibrant culture and economy, and you get a destination absolutely not worth missing if you're in the region.

+

+

==Regions==

+

+

*The parts of the country, with links, and maybe some small explanation. See [[Wikitravel:geographical hierarchy|geographical hierarchy]] for details.

+

+

* Western Hungary

+

** [[Lake Balaton]]

+

*** [[Pécs]]

+

* Between ''Duna'' and ''Tisza''

+

*** [[Budapest]]

+

* Eastern Hungary

+

*** [[Gyöngyös]]

+

*** [[Miskolc-Tapolca]] - cave bath

+

** The [[Great Hungarian Plain]] - Central Europe's largest flat land

+

*** [[Debrecen]]

+

* Northern Hungary

+

** The [[Hungarian Mountains]]

+

*** [[Aggtelek]] - beautiful caves

+

+

+

==Sites==

+

+

*These should be major country draws that might not be associated with a particular city ([[Grand Canyon]], [[Angkor Wat]]). Again, descriptions can go here or link to separate page.

+

+

These sections can also be combined into one ''Destinations'' sections.

+

+

* [[Lake Balaton]]

+

+

==Know==

+

+

''This information is from the CIA World Factbook 2003''

Hungary was part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under communist rule following World War II. In 1956, a revolt and announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention by Moscow. In the more open GORBACHEV years, Hungary led the movement to dissolve the Warsaw Pact and steadily shifted toward multiparty democracy and a market-oriented economy. Following the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Hungary developed close political and economic ties to Western Europe. It joined NATO in 1999 and is a frontrunner in a future expansion of the EU.

Hungary was part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under communist rule following World War II. In 1956, a revolt and announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention by Moscow. In the more open GORBACHEV years, Hungary led the movement to dissolve the Warsaw Pact and steadily shifted toward multiparty democracy and a market-oriented economy. Following the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Hungary developed close political and economic ties to Western Europe. It joined NATO in 1999 and is a frontrunner in a future expansion of the EU.

; '''Geography - note''' : landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna (Danube) and Tisza Rivers divide the country into three large regions

; '''Geography - note''' : landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna (Danube) and Tisza Rivers divide the country into three large regions

; '''Economy - overview''' : Hungary continues to demonstrate strong economic growth and to work toward accession to the European Union. The private sector accounts for over 80% of GDP. Foreign ownership of and investment in Hungarian firms is widespread, with cumulative foreign direct investment totaling more than $23 billion since 1989. Hungarian sovereign debt was upgraded in 2000 to the second-highest rating among all the Central European transition economies. Inflation and unemployment - both priority concerns in 2001 - have declined substantially. The key short-term issue is the reduction of the public sector deficit from its current 6% of GDP to 4.5% in 2003 and 3% in 2004.

; '''Economy - overview''' : Hungary continues to demonstrate strong economic growth and to work toward accession to the European Union. The private sector accounts for over 80% of GDP. Foreign ownership of and investment in Hungarian firms is widespread, with cumulative foreign direct investment totaling more than $23 billion since 1989. Hungarian sovereign debt was upgraded in 2000 to the second-highest rating among all the Central European transition economies. Inflation and unemployment - both priority concerns in 2001 - have declined substantially. The key short-term issue is the reduction of the public sector deficit from its current 6% of GDP to 4.5% in 2003 and 3% in 2004.

; '''Illicit drugs''' : transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and methamphetamine; improving, but remains vulnerable to money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking

; '''Illicit drugs''' : transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and methamphetamine; improving, but remains vulnerable to money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking

−

−

−

----

−

−

==Regions==

−

−

*The parts of the country, with links, and maybe some small explanation. See [[Wikitravel:geographical hierarchy|geographical hierarchy]] for details.

−

−

* Western Hungary

−

** [[Lake Balaton]]

−

*** [[Pécs]]

−

* Between ''Duna'' and ''Tisza''

−

*** [[Budapest]]

−

* Eastern Hungary

−

*** [[Gyöngyös]]

−

*** [[Miskolc-Tapolca]] - cave bath

−

** The [[Great Hungarian Plain]] - Central Europe's largest flat land

−

*** [[Debrecen]]

−

* Northern Hungary

−

** The [[Hungarian Mountains]]

−

*** [[Aggtelek]] - beautiful caves

−

−

−

==Sites==

−

−

*These should be major country draws that might not be associated with a particular city ([[Grand Canyon]], [[Angkor Wat]]). Again, descriptions can go here or link to separate page.

−

−

These sections can also be combined into one ''Destinations'' sections.

−

−

* [[Lake Balaton]]

−

−

==Know==

−

−

This is a where you give a quick factual overview of the destination. Be sure to include some context so readers know where and what they are reading about.

−

−

This is where relevent [[Wikitravel:CIA World Factbook 2002 import]] stats can go. Below is an example of Factbook info that might be usefull to a traveller. See also [[Switzerland]] for an example.

−

−

[http://www.wikipedia.org/Hungary Hungary] is sitting in the center of Eastern Europe.

−

−

The country isn't big but still offers many different looking, beautiful regions: mountains on the North, the Great Plain on the East, lakes and rivers of all sorts, and many beautiful, small villages and hidden gems of cities.

Introduction

Hungary is a country in Central Europe. The country isn't big but still offers many diverse, beautiful destinations: mountains in the north, the Great Plain in the east, lakes and rivers of all sorts, and many beautiful small villages and hidden gems of cities. Top this all with Hungary's great accessibility in the middle of Europe, a vibrant culture and economy, and you get a destination absolutely not worth missing if you're in the region.

Regions

The parts of the country, with links, and maybe some small explanation. See geographical hierarchy for details.

Know

This information is from the CIA World Factbook 2003
Hungary was part of the polyglot Austro-Hungarian Empire, which collapsed during World War I. The country fell under communist rule following World War II. In 1956, a revolt and announced withdrawal from the Warsaw Pact were met with a massive military intervention by Moscow. In the more open GORBACHEV years, Hungary led the movement to dissolve the Warsaw Pact and steadily shifted toward multiparty democracy and a market-oriented economy. Following the collapse of the USSR in 1991, Hungary developed close political and economic ties to Western Europe. It joined NATO in 1999 and is a frontrunner in a future expansion of the EU.

landlocked; strategic location astride main land routes between Western Europe and Balkan Peninsula as well as between Ukraine and Mediterranean basin; the north-south flowing Duna (Danube) and Tisza Rivers divide the country into three large regions

18 August 1949, effective 20 August 1949, revised 19 April 1972; 18 October 1989 revision ensured legal rights for individuals and constitutional checks on the authority of the prime minister and also established the principle of parliamentary oversight; 1997 amendment streamlined the judicial system

Legal system

rule of law based on Western model

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal

Executive branch

chief of state: Ferenc MADL (since NA August 2000) head of government: Prime Minister Peter MEDGYESSY (since 27 May 2002) cabinet: Council of Ministers elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president elections: president elected by the National Assembly for a five-year term; election last held 6 June 2000 (next to be held by June 2005); prime minister elected by the National Assembly on the recommendation of the president note: to be elected, the president must win two-thirds of legislative vote in the first two rounds or a simple majority in the third round election results: Ferenc MADL elected president; percent of legislative vote - NA% (but by a simple majority in the third round of voting); Peter MEDGYESSY elected prime minister; percent of legislative vote - NA%

Legislative branch

unicameral National Assembly or Orszaggyules (386 seats; members are elected by popular vote under a system of proportional and direct representation to serve four-year terms) election results: percent of vote by party (5% or more of the vote required for parliamentary representation in the first round) - FIDESZ/MDF 48.70%, MSZP 46.11%, SZDSZ 4.92%, other 0.27%; seats by party - FIDESZ/MDF 188, MSZP 178, SZDSZ 20 elections: last held 7 and 21 April 2002 (next to be held NA April 2006)

Judicial branch

Constitutional Court (judges are elected by the National Assembly for nine-year terms)

Economy

Economy - overview

Hungary continues to demonstrate strong economic growth and to work toward accession to the European Union. The private sector accounts for over 80% of GDP. Foreign ownership of and investment in Hungarian firms is widespread, with cumulative foreign direct investment totaling more than $23 billion since 1989. Hungarian sovereign debt was upgraded in 2000 to the second-highest rating among all the Central European transition economies. Inflation and unemployment - both priority concerns in 2001 - have declined substantially. The key short-term issue is the reduction of the public sector deficit from its current 6% of GDP to 4.5% in 2003 and 3% in 2004.

Communications

Telephones - main lines in use

3.095 million (1997)

Telephones - mobile cellular

1.269 million (July 1999)

Telephone system

general assessment: the telephone system has been modernized and is capable of satisfying all requests for telecommunication service domestic: the system is digitalized and highly automated; trunk services are carried by fiber-optic cable and digital microwave radio relay; a program for fiber-optic subscriber connections was initiated in 1996; heavy use is made of mobile cellular telephones international: Hungary has fiber-optic cable connections with all neighboring countries; the international switch is in Budapest; satellite earth stations - 2 Intelsat (Atlantic Ocean and Indian Ocean regions), 1 Inmarsat, 1 very small aperture terminal (VSAT) system of ground terminals

Transnational Issues

Slovakia requested additional ICJ judgment in 1998 and talks continue to set modalities to assure Hungarian compliance with 1997 ICJ decision to proceed with construction of Gabcikovo-Nagymaros Dam, abandoned by Hungary in 1989; Hungary opposes Croatian plan to build a hydropower dam on the boundary stream Drava

Illicit drugs

transshipment point for Southwest Asian heroin and cannabis and for South American cocaine destined for Western Europe; limited producer of precursor chemicals, particularly for amphetamine and methamphetamine; improving, but remains vulnerable to money laundering related to organized crime and drug trafficking

Understand

A more in-depth description of the country -- the history, it's political and ethnic situation, its culture. The deeper context that makes the country worth going to.

This was the country maybe starting the goodbye motion from the socialist era into the capitalism, which was mainly a success: all the shady sides of the western culture were adapted, and the good sides are planned to be implemented. But apart from kidding the country is not very different from most of the european countries: you may expect safe food and water, good safety and generally political stability. Hungary doesn't attract terrorists and keeps drug and crime levels moderate.

Some people (mainly in the USA) thinks this country is "red", some other thinks it's the "country of gypsies". It isn't. Hungary has probably the softest socialist regime, and in its last 20-30 years there wasn't much "redness" in the country apart from the Russians, who left the country a bit late, but finally, around 1992. Since then the country have elected governments, and the economy is based on the laws of marketing (and miracles). There is a gypsy population (some census say around 5%), this surely doesn't count as "all of them".

Most Hungarians are friendly except most citizens of large cities.

Get in/Get out

Arrival details. Include visa and border crossing information, as well as suggestions of good places to arrive/fly into (Oakland Airport can sometimes be cheaper than flying into San Francisco, flights from Siem Riep in Cambodia have dangerously old Russian planes, etc). Information on how to get from/to international airports, train and bus stations, border points and other points of arrival/departure can also go here.

Main Airport is in Budapest (nicknamed Ferihegy), right now (end of 2003) there are no further international Airports. You can enter by train or car, or by international shiplines on Duna (Danube) or Tisza.

Since at the moment Hungary is one the border of the EU you can expect a little more thorough border check than usual, but it's not scary or offensive (except when you choose to ignore import/export laws). Citizens of most countries are free to enter with passport for normal travel, usual length of stay is 30 days without any attitional permit.

Get around

General information about how to get around the country once you are there. An overview of domestic travel possibilities: air, train, and bus travel, long-distance taxis, ferries, etc...

By car

Roads of Hungary are in good shape, and usually you can travel by using a map and the road signs.

Highways are not free, but there are no other toll roads or tunnels.

Don't count with western travel times though: if you travel by normal roads the speed limit is 90 km/h between cities and 50 km/h inside, which slows you to the average around 60km/h. Roads have often high traffic (especially main roads like #8 to the west, #6 to the south and #4 to the east).

M5- going towards Kecskemét and Szeged (south-east): Currently the most expensive highway in Hungary, you usually pay 2300 HUF per travel

Air

International airport in Budapest, Ferihegy. National flight company is Malév (Hungarian Airlines).

Train

Train system is star-shaped, middle is Budapest. This is caused by History because half of the once complete train system went to the neighbour countries after World War I. If none of the start or endpoint is Budapest, expect to travel for long time.

Intercity (IC) trains are the fastest, and they're well maintaned and cleaned (so you pay more). Other trainlines usually not that fast, and not always cleaned up to the high standards, and often vandalised. Prices are similar to bus lines.

Bus

Bus lines often more complete than train lines, the prices and the speed is quite similar. Buses are often clean but they're not always in top quality: many lines don't have (working) air conditioning in the summer (sometimes the central information can help you knowing that beforehand).

Ferries and ships

These are not used very often (since Hungary have limited amount of waterways). There are some ferries on Danube and Tisza but you're advised to avoid them due to the undetermined working hours. You can trust the ferry on Lake Balaton, though, for a modest price.

Talk

Languages for the country/region. How well can you get by with only English or other second language (French in Vietnam for example). Also include information about the writing system-- will travellers need a bilingual map?

Main and official language is Hungarian. In the west many people understand German, and English is usually handled with more or less success. Younger population is usually speaks either English, German, French or some other larger language. The alphabet is latin, with some accented characters.

Spend

Include the name of the money, types of bills and coins, availability of banks/ATMs, and a rough idea of how much is a reasonable amount to have on hand (lunch in Barcelona under 10 euros, casual dinner for two in [Bangkok] is between 400-800 bhat). Added as much budget/cost info as possible.

A lunch in Budapest is from 1000 to 8000 HUF per person, and half or third of that outside Budapest (chinese fast food menu is around 500 HUF). You can use major credit cards (EuroCard, Visa) in major shops and larger restaurants, but never expect that without checking first. Small places cannot afford to handle cards. ATMs are available even in small cities, the coverage is good.

Eat and Drink

Information on country-specific food and drink. Keep this as general as possible and save the actual restaurant business information in the City guides. Do mention any general types of restaurant that travellers should look for (or avoid!).

Hungary is a great place if you like special food! Hungarians are quite proud of their food, and most of the time not without a reason. Food are usually spicy (but not hot by general standards), and it's rather tasty than healthy. National foods are Goulash (Gulyás, which is different from what you may have possibly tasted anywhere in the World), all kinds of Pörkölt.

Avoid... (nothing occures to me).

Hungary have several famous vine regions, most known are Villány, Eger, Badacsony, Tokaj, Szekszárd. Prices are reasonable.

Work

Stay Safe

Watch your baggage and pockets, especially when you travel by public transports. Pickpockets are overpopulating the honest people. In large cities (especially Budapest) avoid walking in the night outside main, well lit roads.

Stay Healthy

Health system is crap, if you get hurt, expect to be handled well (emergency system is usually fast) but cared not at all. Corruption in the health system is extremely high, for money you get care, tender, and you may even get healed. Private doctors are usually expensive and safe, public system is the opposite. Stay healthy and be careful!

Pharmacies are everywhere, you may expect high prices (compared to local incomes) but good pharmautical coverage.

Respect

Customs and etiquette.

Don't try your freshly learnt swear words on locals, you may get some serious beatings.